But, if you think that by hanging us, you can stamp out the labor movement — the movement from which the downtrodden millions, the millions who toil and live in want and misery — the wage slaves — expect salvation — if that is your opinion, then hang us! Here you tread upon a spark, but there, and there; and behind you, and in front of you, and everywhere, flames will blaze up. It is a subterranean fire. You cannot put it out. The ground is on fire upon which you stand. ––August Spies, in his final address to the courthouse

The Haymarket Affair is a significant turning point for labor relations in America, because it revealed powerful societal and class divisions that justice could not surmount.

The emerging labor movement suffered a devastating blow from the Haymarket Affair. Radicals’ voices were silenced and their movements were suppressed.

The effect of that bomb, was that it not only killed the policemen, but it killed our eight-hour movement for that year and for a few years after, notwithstanding we had absolutely no connection with these people.

––Labor leader Samuel Gompers

In spite of these setbacks, Haymarket eventually served to strengthen the labor movement.

The direct result of our persecution has been— general activity in labor circles; great progress in organization and, particularly, in ideas.––August Spies

Laborers and sympathizers from around the world joined forces to demand clemency, demonstrating the power of organized labor. The Haymarket Affair led to more agitation for an eight-hour workday, which was finally recognized by law in the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938.

How come you don't work fourteen hours a day? Your great-great-grandparents did. How come you only work the eight-hour day? Four guys got hanged fighting for the eight-hour day for you.––Studs Terkel

Haymarket revealed an ugly side to the American justice system. Despite overwhelming demands for clemency, a police force and media controlled by industrialists essentially decided the fate of four men. Immigrants suffered from increased xenophobia and were faced with a grim reality of the “sweet land of liberty.” Most significantly, the Haymarket Affair revealed a class-dominated America, with workers pitted against the government and capitalists. These tensions and divisions among classes still create problems today.

Perhaps you think, "You'll throw no more bombs;" but let me assure you that I die happy on the gallows, so confident am I that the hundreds and thousands to whom I have spoken will remember my words; and when you shall have hanged us, then, mark my words, they will do the bomb-throwing! In this hope do I say to you: "I despise you. I despise your order; your laws; your force-propped authority." HANG ME FOR IT!––Louis Lingg, concluding his address to the courthouse